Furniture and method for assembling furniture

ABSTRACT

An article of furniture includes a seat frame, first and second spaced apart seat connectors, a plurality of elongated seat panels, first and second spaced apart back post connectors, and a plurality of elongated back panels. The seat connectors and the back connectors include an upper bulbous member and a body. The panels include first and second spaced apart channels therein with cutouts extending from the channels and opening onto a surface of the seat panels. The channels of the seat panels are receivable on the upper bulbous members of the spaced apart seat connectors to form a seat, and the channels of the back panels are receivable on the front bulbous members of the spaced apart back connectors to form a back.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/431,380, filed Jun. 4, 2019, entitled “Furniture And MethodFor Assembling Furniture,” which application claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/680,168, filed Jun. 4, 2018, entitled“Furniture And Method For Assembling Furniture”, which applications arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to indoor or outdoor furnitureand, in particular, to an improved assembly of rigid seat portions andrigid back portions to side portions of a seat frame and side portionsof back posts.

BACKGROUND

Typically, some outdoor furniture such as chairs and lounges have beenconstructed of wood frames with a wood seat and a wood back rest thatare assembled to the wood frame with screws.

SUMMARY

Shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages areprovided by the present disclosure, in which in one embodiment includesan article of furniture having a seat frame, first and second spacedapart seat connectors, a plurality of elongated seat panels, first andsecond spaced apart back post connectors, and a plurality of elongatedback panels. The first and second spaced apart seat connectors includean upper bulbous member and a body. The body of the seat connectors isoperably connected to the seat frame and extends along a left side and aright side of the seat frame. Each of the elongated seat panels includesfirst and second spaced apart channels therein with cutouts extendingfrom the channels and opening onto a bottom surface of the seat panels.The cutouts have a width less than a width of the channel so that thechannels of the elongated seat panels are receivable on the upperbulbous members of the spaced apart seat connectors and so that theplurality of seat panels form a seat. Each of the back connectors has afront bulbous member and a body. Lower portions of the back postconnectors are operably connected to the seat frame extending upwardlyfrom the left side and the right side of the seat frame. Each of theelongated back panels has first and second spaced apart channels thereinand a cutout extending from the channels and opening onto a rear surfaceof the back panels. The cutouts having a width less than a width of thechannel. The channels of the elongated back panels are receivable on thefront bulbous members of the spaced apart back post connectors so thatthe plurality of back panels form a back.

In another embodiment, an article of furniture includes, for example, aseat frame, first and second spaced apart seat connectors, a pluralityof elongated seat panels, first and second spaced apart back postconnectors, and a plurality of elongated back panels. The seat frame hasa left side and a right side defining vertically-disposed innersurfaces. Each of the seat connectors have an upper hollow bulbousmember supported by a hollow body. The hollow body of the seatconnectors is operably connected to the seat frame and extends along theleft side and the right side of the seat frame. Each of the elongatedseat panels has first and second spaced apart channels therein withcutouts extending from the channels and opening onto a bottom surface ofthe seat panels. The cutouts have a width less than a width of thechannel, and the channels of the elongated seat panels are slidablyreceivable on the upper bulbous members of the spaced apart seatconnectors so that the plurality of seat panels form a seat with abottom surface of the seat panel spaced apart from a top surface of thebody of the first and second spaced apart seat connectors. Each of theback connectors has a front hollow bulbous member supported by a hollowbody. Lower portions of the back post connectors are operably connectedto the seat frame extending upwardly from the left side and the rightside of the seat frame. Each of the elongated back panels has first andsecond spaced apart channels therein and a cutout extending from thechannels and opening onto a rear surface of the back panels. The cutoutshaving a width less than a width of the channel. The channels of theelongated back panels are slidably receivable on the front bulbousmembers of the spaced apart back post connectors so that the pluralityof back panels form a back with a rear surface of the back panel spacedapart from a front surface of the body of the first and second spacedapart back post connectors.

In another embodiment, a method for forming an article of furnitureincludes, for example, providing a seat frame having a left side and aright side defining vertically-disposed inner surfaces, providing firstand second seat connectors having an upper bulbous member and a body,operably attaching the body of the first and second seat connectors tothe vertically-disposed inner surfaces of the left side and the rightside of the seat frame, providing first and second back post connectorshaving a front bulbous member and a body, operably attaching lowerportions of the body of the first and second back post connectors to thevertically-disposed inner surfaces of the left side and the right sideof the seat frame, slidably attaching a plurality of seat panels to theupper bulbous members of the first and second seat connectors, andslidably attaching a plurality of back panels to the front bulbousmember of the first and second back post connectors.

In another embodiment, an article of furniture may include a seat frame,a pair of spaced apart seat connectors, a plurality of elongated seatpanels, a pair of spaced apart back post connectors, and a plurality ofelongated back panels. Each of the seat connectors includes an upperbulbous member, a lower bulbous member, and a web disposed therebetween.The seat connectors operably connect to the seat frame and extend alonga left side and a right side of the seat frame. Each of the elongatedseat panels includes first and second spaced apart channels therein withcutouts extending from the channels and opening onto a bottom surface ofthe seat panels. The cutouts have a width less than a width of thechannel, and the channels of the elongated seat panels are receivable onthe upper bulbous members of the spaced apart seat connectors so thatthe plurality of seat panels form a seat. Each of the back connectorsincludes a front bulbous member, a rear bulbous member, and a webdisposed therebetween. Lower portions of the back post connectorsoperably connect to the seat frame extending upwardly from the left sideand the right side of the seat frame. Each of the elongated back panelsincludes first and second spaced apart channels therein and a cutoutextending from the channels and opening onto a rear surface of the backpanels. The cutouts have a width less than a width of the channel, andwherein the channels of the elongated back panels are receivable on thefront bulbous members of the spaced apart back post connectors so thatthe plurality of back panels form a back.

In another embodiment, an article of furniture includes a seat frame, aseat operably attached to the seat frame, first and second back postconnectors, and a plurality of elongated back panels. Each of the backconnectors includes a front bulbous member, a rear bulbous member, and aweb disposed therebetween. A first side of the seat frame has a pair ofspaced apart cutouts, and the first back post connector is operablyconnected to the seat frame with a lower portion of the front bulbousmember and a lower portion of the rear bulbous member of the first backpost connector disposed in the cutouts. A second side of the seat framehas a pair of spaced apart cutouts, and the second back post connectoroperably connected to the seat frame with a lower portion of the frontbulbous member and a lower portion of the rear bulbous member of thesecond back post connector disposed in the cutouts. Each of theelongated back panels includes first and second spaced apart channelstherein and having a cutout extending from the channels and opening ontoa rear surface of the back panels, the cutouts having a width less thana width of the channel, and wherein the channels of the elongated backpanels are receivable on the front bulbous members of the spaced apartback post connectors so that the plurality of back panels form a back.

In another embodiment, a method for forming an article of furnitureincludes providing a seat frame, forming a plurality of cutouts in arear portion of the seat frame, and operably attaching lower portions ofa pair of back post connectors having a front bulbous member, a rearbulbous member, and a web disposed therebetween to the seat frame withthe lower portion of bulbous members in the plurality of cutouts. Insome embodiments, the method may include forming first and secondcutouts along sides of the seat frame, and operably attaching a pair ofseat connectors having a front bulbous member, a rear bulbous member,and a web disposed therebetween to the seat frame with the lower bulbousmembers in the first and second cutouts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the disclosure is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of thespecification. The disclosure, however, may best be understood byreference to the following detailed description of various embodimentsand the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the front portion ofthe seat of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a seat connector of FIG. 2,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seat connector taken along line4-4 in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the seat panel of the seat ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the attachment of the seatpanel to a seat connector in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1 without backpanels, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an exploded, front perspective view of the back of the seat ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, rear perspective view of the back of the seat ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the back of the seat ofFIG. 1 with a back support partially removed/installed, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the back of the seat ofFIG. 1 with the back supports removed, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, perspective view of the bottom of the seat ofFIG. 1 with the back supports removed, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, perspective view of the bottom of the seat ofFIG. 1 with the back supports removed, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 14-20 are perspective, front, back, left, right, top, and bottomviews of an article of furniture, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a method for forming an article of furniture,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a seat, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the front portionof the seat of FIG. 22, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a seat connector of FIG. 23,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the seat connector taken along line25-25 in FIG. 24, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the seat panel of the seat ofFIG. 22, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the attachment of theseat panel to a seat connector in FIG. 22, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the seat of FIG. 22 without backpanels, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is an exploded, front perspective view of the back of the seatof FIG. 22, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is an exploded, rear perspective view of the back of the seat ofFIG. 22, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the back of the seat ofFIG. 22 with a back support partially removed/installed, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the back of the seat ofFIG. 22 with the back supports removed, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged, perspective view of the bottom of the seat ofFIG. 22 with the back supports removed, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a method for forming an article of furniture,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an article of furniture 10 such as a chairconstructed and assembled according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In this illustrated embodiment, article of furniture 10generally includes a seat frame 12, a seat 20 and a back 50. Seat frame12 may include a pair of front vertical legs 14, a pair of rear legs andseat support 15, a pair of arms 17, a pair of angle brackets 13, a frontapron 18, and a rear apron 19 (FIG. 7). It will be appreciated that inother embodiments of the present disclosure, the seat frame may beconfigured differently. Seat 20 includes a plurality of generally rigidseat panels 200. Back 50 includes a plurality of rigid back panels 500.

As described below, the panels may be slidably attachable. This allowsassembling the articles of furniture for customers in any panel colorcombination from a large selection of colors. A customer may also changepanels in the future if they want to change the look of the article offurniture. In some embodiments, all of the panels may be identical. Inother embodiments, the panels may be different, for example, havingdifferent configuration, colors, and/or materials. In some embodiments,the panels may be fabricated from a Marine Grade Polymer material, andthe remainder of the seat may be made from Marine Grade Polymer andaluminum.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of seat connectors 400 operable forconnecting seat panels 200 to the pair of rear legs and seat supports15. In particular, seat connectors 400 are operably attached along theinside of the pair of rear legs and seat supports 15, with a portion ofthe connectors disposed above a top surface 16 of the pair of rear legsand seat supports 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, seat connectors 400 may include alongitudinally extending planar web member 420, an upper longitudinallyextending bulbous member 430, and a lower longitudinally extendingbulbous member 440. Web member 420 may have a first surface 422 and asecond surface 424, and the bulbous member may extend outwardly fromfirst surface 422 and second surface 424. For example, the bulbousmembers may be cylindrical members. Desirably, the web member resistsshear forces, while the bulbous members resist most of the bendingmoment experienced by seat connector 400. The web may have a height B ofabout 1.75 inches, and the cylindrical members may have a diameter D1 ofabout ⅜ inch. The web may have a thickness T of about 1/16 inch or 0.05inch. The seat connector may have a barbell shape. The upper bulbousmember may be similarly sized and configured as the bottom bulbousmember. In some embodiments, the bulbous members have the samecross-section. For example, the seat connector may be symmetric about alongitudinal axis A1. The seat connectors may be a one-piece,monolithic, or integral seat connector.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of one of theseat panels 200 having a generally elongated planar configuration. Panel200 includes a top surface 221, a bottom surface 222,longitudinally-extending peripherally extending sides 223 and 224disposed therebetween, and a longitudinal axis L. Disposed along the endportions (only one of which is shown in FIG. 5) of seat panel 200 arechannels 230 having a bottom cutout or opening 235, which channel 230and bottom opening 235 extend along an axis A2 across the width ofsupport panel 200. Axis A2 is disposed perpendicular to longitudinalaxis L. The seat panels 200 include end portions with channels 230 (oneshown in FIG. 5) being wider than the middle portion of the seat panel200 so that seat panels 200 define openings 250 (FIG. 2) betweenadjacent panels 200 along the seat 20 of article of furniture 10. Panels200 may have a constant thickness T1 along its longitudinal length withchannels 230 disposed within the constant thickness of panel 230 andacross the entire width W1 of panel 200 from longitudinally peripherallyextending side 223 to longitudinally peripherally extending side 224.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1, the back panels 500 include end portionswith the channels being wider than the middle portion of the back panel500 so that back panels 500 define cutouts or openings 550 betweenadjacent panels 500 along back 50 of article of furniture 10. Inaddition, in this illustrate embodiment, the elongated back panels andelongated seat panels are disposed so that the longitudinal axes of thepanels extend from the left side to the right side of the article offurniture. In some embodiments, the seat panels and the back panels havethe same length and width. In some embodiments, the seat and the back ofthe article of furniture have the same width.

With reference again to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, channel 230 may havea generally circular cross-section. Bottom opening 235 may have a widthW2 sized smaller than the diameter D2 of the circular cross-section andextend from longitudinally peripherally extending side 223 tolongitudinally peripherally extending side 224. A relief R may extendalong the length of panel 200 resulting in outwardly extending portions240 along the edge portions of panel 200. With reference again to FIG.2, the cutout in seat panels 200 may be sized for a tight fit or pressfit connection with the bulbous portion of seat connector 400. Thediameter D2 of the cutout may be about ⅜ inch. It will be appreciatedthat the cutout and bulbous member may have other configurations. Forexample, the cutout and bulbous member may have square, rectangular, orother suitable mattingly engaging configurations.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the attachment of the seatpanel 200 to the seat connector 400. As shown, the bottom surface 222 ofthe seat panel 200 may be spaced apart from top edge 16 of rear legs andseat supports 15 a distance G of about 5/32 inch. For example, thebottom surface 222 of the seat panel 200 may be spaced apart from a top421 of web 420, the bottom surface 222 of the seat panel 200 may bespaced apart from top edge 16 of rear legs and seat supports 15 adistance G of about 5/32 inch, and a bottom 431 of bulbous member 430may be spaced apart from top edge 16 of rear legs and seat supports 15 adistance G of about 5/32 inch. As shown in FIG. 6, the seat panel 200may be a solid seat panel. The solid seat panels may be fabricated froma Marine Grade Polymer material or other suitable material.

As shown in FIG. 7, back 30 of the article of furniture may include apair of back post connectors 600 that act as back posts, a top rail 720,and a cross-member 740. Back posts connectors 600 may be essentially thesame as seat connectors 400 described above. Desirably, the web member620 of the back post connector 600 resists shear forces, while thebulbous members 630 resist most of the bending moment experienced byback post connector 600.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, back panels 500 may be essentially thesame as seat panel 200 described above. Back panel 500 are slid ontoback post connectors 600. Panels 500 may have a constant thickness T2along its longitudinal length with channels 530 disposed within theconstant thickness of panel 500.

FIG. 10 illustrates back panel 500 being slid onto back post connectors600. The cutout in back panels 500 may be sized to for a tight fit orpress fit connection with the bulbous portion of back post connector600.

FIG. 11 illustrates the attachment of the lower portion 650 of back post600 to rear legs and seat supports 15.

As best shown in FIG. 12, rear legs and seat supports 15 includes a pairof parallel cutouts 20 having an axis of the cutouts disposed at theangle to correspond to the angle of the back of the seat. In particular,inner sides 24 of cutouts 20 are sized to correspond to the width B(FIG. 3) so that the web 620 rests flat against the inside surface ofrear legs and seat supports 15. When the lower portion 650 of back postconnector 600 is attached to rear legs and seat supports 15, the innerportions of the cutout may engage the bulbous member of back postsupport 600 and inhibit rotation. As shown in FIG. 1, arms 17 may beoperably attached to back post support and front legs 14 to aid inmaintaining back 50 in an upright orientation.

As best shown in FIG. 13, rear legs and seat supports 15 includescutouts 25 having an axis of the cutouts disposed at the angle parallelto the top edge. In particular, the distance D3 (FIG. 6) between innerside 27 of cutouts 25 a top edge 16 (FIGS. 2 and 6) is sized tocorrespond to the width B (FIG. 3) so that web 420 rests flat againstthe inside surface of rear legs and seat supports 15.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the inner edge of the arms may include acutout for receiving the bulbous members of the back post connectors.

FIGS. 14-20 illustrate an article of furniture 700 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, which incorporates the featuresdescribed above.

FIG. 21 illustrates a method 800 for forming an article of furniture,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 800includes at 810 providing a seat frame, at 820 forming a plurality ofcutouts in a rear portion of the seat frame, and at 830 operablyattaching lower portions of a pair of back post connectors having afront bulbous member, a rear bulbous member, and a web disposedtherebetween to the seat frame with the lower portion of bulbous membersin the plurality of cutouts.

The method 800 may further include at 840 attaching a plurality of backpanels to the front bulbous member. In other embodiments, the method 800may include at 850 forming first and second cutouts along sides of theseat frame, at 860 operably attaching a pair of seat connectors havingan upper bulbous member, a lower bulbous member, and a web disposedtherebetween to the seat frame with the lower bulbous members in thefirst and second cutouts, and at 870 attaching a plurality of seatpanels to the upper bulbous member.

FIG. 22 illustrates an article of furniture 1010 such as a chairconstructed and assembled according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In this illustrated embodiment, article of furniture 1010generally includes a seat frame 1012, a seat 1020 and a back 1050. Seatframe 1012 may include a pair of front vertical legs 1014, a pair ofrear legs and seat support 1015, a pair of arms 1017, a pair of anglebrackets 1013, a front apron 1018, and a rear apron 1019 (FIG. 28). Insome embodiments, a left side and a right side of the seat frame mayinclude vertically-disposed inner surfaces.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the seat frame may be configured differently. Seat 1020includes a plurality of generally rigid seat panels 1200. Back 1050includes a plurality of rigid back panels 1500.

As described below, the panels may be slidably attachable. This allowsassembling the articles of furniture for customers in any panel colorcombination from a large selection of colors. A customer may also changepanels in the future if they want to change the look of the article offurniture. In some embodiments, all of the panels may be identical. Inother embodiments, the panels may be different, for example, havingdifferent configuration, colors, and/or materials. In some embodiments,the panels may be fabricated from a Marine Grade Polymer material, andthe remainder of the seat may be made from Marine Grade Polymer andaluminum. For example, the seat connectors and the back post connectorsmay be extruded aluminum members.

FIG. 23 illustrates a plurality of seat connectors 1400 operable forconnecting, e.g., slidably interconnecting, seat panels 1200 to the pairof rear legs and seat supports 1015. In particular, seat connectors 1400are operably attached along the inside of the pair of rear legs and seatsupports 1015, with a portion of the connectors disposed above a topsurface 1016 of the pair of rear legs and seat supports 1015.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, seat connectors 1400 may include alongitudinally extending body 1420 and an upper longitudinally extendingbulbous member 1430, e.g., a single bulbous member. Body 1420 may have afirst surface 1422, a second surface 1424, a top surface 1426, a bottomsurface 1428, and the bulbous member may extend outwardly from topsurface 1426 between first surface 1422 and second surface 1424. Forexample, the bulbous members may be a hollow cylindrical member. Thebody may be essentially a hollow square tube member having an axis X ofsymmetry. In some embodiments, the body may include one or more verticalcross-members or ribs 1425. In some embodiments, the first surface 1422and the second surface 1424 may be parallel to each other, and parallelto axis X. Top surface 1426 may be disposed normal or perpendicular toaxis X, and/or normal or perpendicular to the side surface disposedagainst the inner surfaces of the pair of rear legs and seat supports1015. As one of the side surfaces are disposed against the innersurfaces of the pair of rear legs and seat supports 1015, it will beappreciated that this side surface may be a planar surface, and that theother side surface need not be parallel. For example, the body of theseat connectors may have a side surface disposed on an angle or haveanother suitable configuration. In some embodiments, an outercross-sectional perimeter of the body of the first and second spacedapart seat connectors is greater than an outer cross-sectional perimeterof the bulbous member of the first and second spaced apart seatconnectors. In some embodiments, the body of the first and second spacedapart seat connectors is sized or has a cross-sectional area greaterthan the size or cross-sectional area of the bulbous member of the firstand second spaced apart seat connectors. Desirably, the body resistsshear forces and bending forces, while the bulbous member also resistssheer forces and bending forces or moment experienced by seat connector1400. The body may have a height H of about 1 inch and a width W of 1inch, and the bulbous member may have a diameter D4 of about ⅜ inch. Thebulbous member 1430 and body 1420 may be hollow and have a wallthickness T4 of about 1/16 inch or 0.05 inch. The seat connectors may bea one-piece, monolithic, or integral seat connector.

FIG. 26 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of one of theseat panels 1200 having a generally elongated planar configuration.Panel 1200 may be essentially the same as panel 200 (FIG. 5) describedabove. For example, panel 1200 includes a top surface 1221, a bottomsurface 1222, longitudinally-extending peripherally extending sides 1223and 1224 disposed therebetween, and a longitudinal axis L1. Disposedalong the end portions (only one of which is shown in FIG. 26) of seatpanel 1200 are channels 1230 having a bottom cutout or opening 1235,which channel 1230 and bottom opening 1235 extend along an axis A21across the width of support panel 1200. Axis A21 is disposedperpendicular to longitudinal axis L1. The seat panels 1200 include endportions with channels 1230 (one shown in FIG. 26) being wider than themiddle portion of the seat panel 1200 so that seat panels 1200 defineopenings 1250 (FIG. 22) between adjacent panels 1200 along the seat 1020of article of furniture 1010. Panels 1200 may have a constant thicknessT11 along its longitudinal length with channels 1230 disposed within theconstant thickness of panel 1230 and across the entire width W11 ofpanel 1200 from longitudinally peripherally extending side 1223 tolongitudinally peripherally extending side 1224.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 22, the back panels 1500 include endportions with the channels being wider than the middle portion of theback panel 1500 so that back panels 1500 define cutouts or openings 1550between adjacent panels 1500 along back 1050 of article of furniture1010. In addition, in this illustrate embodiment, the elongated backpanels and elongated seat panels are disposed so that the longitudinalaxes of the panels extend from the left side to the right side of thearticle of furniture. In some embodiments, the seat panels and the backpanels have the same length and width. In some embodiments, the seat andthe back of the article of furniture have the same width.

With reference again to FIG. 26, in this embodiment, channel 1230 mayhave a generally circular cross-section. Bottom opening 1235 may have awidth W21 sized smaller than the diameter D21 of the circularcross-section and extend from longitudinally peripherally extending side1223 to longitudinally peripherally extending side 1224. A relief R1 mayextend along the length of panel 1200 resulting in outwardly extendingportions 1240 along the edge portions of panel 1200. With referenceagain to FIG. 23, the cutout in seat panels 1200 may be sized for atight fit or press fit connection with the bulbous portion of seatconnector 1400. The diameter D21 of the cutout may be about ⅜ inch. Itwill be appreciated that the cutout and bulbous member may have otherconfigurations. For example, the cutout and bulbous member may havesquare, rectangular, or other suitable mattingly engagingconfigurations.

FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the attachment of the seatpanel 1200 to the seat connector 1400. As shown, the bottom surface 1222of the seat panel 1200 may be spaced apart from top edge 1016 of rearlegs and seat supports 1015 a distance G1 of about 5/32 inch. Forexample, the bottom surface 1222 of the seat panel 1200 may be spacedapart from top surface 1426 of body 1420, the distance G1 of about 5/32inch, and a bottom of bulbous member 1430 may be spaced apart from topedge 1016 of rear legs and seat supports 1015 a distance G1 of about5/32 inch. As shown in FIG. 27, the seat panel 1200 may be a solid seatpanel. The solid seat panels may be fabricated from a Marine GradePolymer material or other suitable material.

With reference again to FIG. 23, seat connector 1400 may be formedinitially as a straight extruded seat connector having an elongated body1420 and elongated bulbous member 1430. The bulbous member 1430 may becut and body 1420 may be bent and/or stretched so that the seatconnector has a first portion and a second portion disposed at an angle.For example, the cut bulbous member 1430 may have cut end 1439, whichafter forming e.g., on a suitable tool, may be spaced apart from eachother as shown in FIG. 23.

As shown in FIG. 28, back 1030 of the article of furniture may include apair of back post connectors 1600 that act as back posts, a top rail1720, and a cross-member 1740. Back posts connectors 1600 may beessentially the same as seat connectors 1400 described above. Desirably,the support member 1620 of the back post connector 1600 resists shearand bending forces, while the bulbous member 1630 also resists shear andbending forces experienced by back post connector 1600.

With reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, back panels 1500 may be essentiallythe same as seat panel 1200 described above. Back panel 1500 are slidonto back post connectors 1600. Panels 1500 may have a constantthickness T21 along its longitudinal length with channels 1530 disposedwithin the constant thickness of panel 1500.

FIG. 31 illustrates back panel 1500 being slid onto back post connectors1600. The cutout in back panels 1500 may be sized to for a tight fit orpress fit connection with the bulbous portion of back post connector1600. Top rail 1720 and cross-member 1740 (FIG. 28) may have an ovalcross-section. The ends may be partially cut so that end portions of thetop rail 1720 and cross-member 1740 (FIG. 28) may provide portions forreceiving bolts, screws, or other fasteners for connecting the top rail1720 and cross-member 1740 (FIG. 28) to back post connector 1600.

FIG. 32 illustrates the attachment of the lower portion 1650 of backpost 1600 to rear legs and seat supports 1015.

As best shown in FIG. 33, a lower portion 1650 of back post connector1600 may be operably attached to rear legs and seat supports 1015, Forexample, a side of body 1420 of back connectors 1600 may rests flatagainst the inside surface of rear legs and seat supports 1015, andsuitable bolts, screws, or other fasteners may operably connect body ofthe back connectors 1600 to rear legs and seat supports 1015, andinhibit rotation of back connectors 1600 relative to rear legs and seatsupports 1015. As shown in FIG. 22, arms 1017 may be operably attachedto back post support and front legs 14 to aid in maintaining back 50 inan upright orientation. A plurality of cross-members 1300, similar tocross-member 1740 (FIG. 28), may extend between seat connectors 1400.

With reference again to FIG. 22, the inner edge of the arms may restagainst a surface of body 1620 back connector 1600 an operably connectedwith suitable connectors.

FIG. 34 illustrates a method 1800 for forming an article of furniture,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 1800includes at 1810 providing a seat frame having a left side and a rightside defining vertically-disposed inner surfaces, at 1820 providingfirst and second seat connectors having an upper bulbous member and abody, at 1830 operably attaching the body of the first and second seatconnectors to the vertically-disposed inner surfaces of the left sideand the right side of the seat frame, at 1840 providing first and secondback post connectors having a front bulbous member and a body, at 1850operably attaching lower portions of the body of the first and secondback post connectors to the vertically-disposed inner surfaces of theleft side and the right side of the seat frame, at 1860 slidablyattaching a plurality of seat panels to the upper bulbous members of thefirst and second seat connectors, and at 1870 slidably attaching aplurality of back panels to the front bulbous member of the first andsecond back post connectors.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments and/or aspects thereof may be used in combination with eachother. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the various embodimentswithout departing from their scope.

While the dimensions and types of materials described herein areintended to define the parameters of the various embodiments, they areby no means limiting and are merely exemplary. Many other embodimentswill be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the various embodiments should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used asthe plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are notintended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, thelimitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

It is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects oradvantages described above may be achieved in accordance with anyparticular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the systems and techniques described herein may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes oneadvantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarilyachieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggestedherein.

While the disclosure has been described in detail in connection withonly a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understoodthat the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments.Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number ofvariations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements notheretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of thedisclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects ofthe disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by theforegoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appendedclaims.

This written description uses examples in the present disclosure, andalso to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure,including making and using any devices or systems and performing anyincorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is definedby the claims, and may include other examples that occur to thoseskilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within thescope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalentstructural elements with insubstantial differences from the literallanguage of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An article of furniture comprising: a seatframe; first and second spaced apart seat connectors, each of said seatconnectors comprising an upper bulbous member and a body, said body ofsaid seat connectors operably connected to said seat frame and extendingalong a left side and a right side of said seat frame; a plurality ofelongated seat panels, each of said elongated seat panels comprisingfirst and second spaced apart channels therein with cutouts extendingfrom said channels and opening onto a bottom surface of said seatpanels, said cutouts having a width less than a width of said channel,and wherein said channels of said elongated seat panels are receivableon said upper bulbous members of said spaced apart seat connectors sothat said plurality of seat panels form a seat; first and second spacedapart back post connectors, each of said back connectors comprising afront bulbous member and a body, lower portions of said back postconnectors operably connected to said seat frame extending upwardly fromsaid left side and said right side of said seat frame; and a pluralityof elongated back panels, each of said elongated back panels comprisingfirst and second spaced apart channels therein and having a cutoutextending from said channels and opening onto a rear surface of saidback panels, said cutouts having a width less than a width of saidchannel, and wherein said channels of said elongated back panels arereceivable on said front bulbous members of said spaced apart back postconnectors so that said plurality of back panels form a back.
 2. Thearticle of furniture of claim 1 wherein: said bulbous member of saidfirst and second spaced apart seat connectors comprises a hollow bulbousmember; said body of said first and second spaced apart seat connectorscomprises a hollow body; said bulbous member of said first and secondspaced apart back post connectors comprises a hollow bulbous member; andsaid body of said first and second spaced apart back post connectorscomprises a hollow body.
 3. The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein:a bottom surface of said seat panel is spaced apart from a top surfaceof said body of said first and second spaced apart seat connectors; anda rear surface of said back panel is spaced apart from a front surfaceof said body of said first and second spaced apart back post connectors.4. The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein: said body of said firstand second spaced apart seat connectors comprises a squarecross-section; and said body of said first and second spaced apart backpost connectors comprises a square cross-section.
 5. The article offurniture of claim 4 wherein: said square cross-section of said body ofsaid first and second spaced apart seat connectors comprises a hollowsquare cross-section having at least one rib therein; and said squarecross-section of said body of said spaced apart back post connectorscomprises a hollow square cross-section having at least one rib therein.6. The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein: an outer cross-sectionalperimeter of said body of said first and second spaced apart seatconnectors is greater than an outer cross-sectional perimeter of saidbulbous member of said first and second spaced apart seat connectors;and an outer cross-sectional perimeter of said body of said spaced apartback post connectors is greater than an outer cross-sectional perimeterof said bulbous member of said spaced apart back post connectors.
 7. Thearticle of furniture of claim 1 wherein: a cross-sectional area of saidbody of said first and second spaced apart seat connectors is greaterthan a cross-sectional area of said bulbous member; and across-sectional area of said body of said spaced apart back postconnectors is greater than a cross-sectional area of said bulbous memberof said spaced apart back post connectors.
 8. The article of furnitureof claim 1 wherein: said left side and said right side of said seatframe comprises vertically-disposed inner surfaces.
 9. The article offurniture of claim 1 wherein: said channels of said plurality of seatpanels are slidably receivable on said upper bulbous members of saidspaced apart seat connectors; and said channels of said plurality ofback panels are slidably receivable on said front bulbous members ofsaid spaced apart back post connectors.
 10. The article of furniture ofclaim 1 wherein said plurality of seat panels comprise a constantthickness with said channels disposed within the constant thickness ofsaid seat panels, and said plurality of back panels comprise a constantthickness with said channels disposed within said constant thickness ofsaid back panels.
 11. The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein saidplurality of seat panels comprise said channels and said cutoutsextending across the entire width of said seat panel from onelongitudinally peripherally extending side to the other longitudinallyperipherally extending side, and said plurality of back panels comprisesaid channels and said cutouts extending across the entire width of saidback panels from one longitudinally peripherally extending side to theother longitudinally peripherally extending side.
 12. The article offurniture of claim 1 wherein an upper portion of said body of said seatconnector is disposed even with or above a top surface of said seatframe.
 13. The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein a bottom surfacesaid seat panel is spaced apart from a top edge of said seat frame. 14.The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein said seat panels and saidback panels comprise end portions with said channels being wider thansaid middle portions of said panels so that said panels define openingsbetween adjacent panels along said seat and said back of said article offurniture.
 15. The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein saidelongated back panels and said elongated seat panels compriselongitudinal axes, and said elongated back panels and said elongatedseat panels are disposed so that said longitudinal axes of said panelsextend from the left side to the right side of the article of furniture.16. The article of furniture of claim 1 wherein said channels of saidseat panels and said upper bulbous member of said seat connectors areoperably sized for a press-fit connection, and said channels of saidback panels and said front bulbous member of said back connectors areoperably sized for a press-fit connection.
 17. The article of furnitureof claim 1 wherein said seat panels and said back panels comprise solidone-piece panels.
 18. An article of furniture comprising: a seat framecomprising a left side and a right side defining vertically-disposedinner surfaces; first and second spaced apart seat connectors, each ofsaid seat connectors comprising an upper hollow bulbous member supportedby a hollow body, said hollow body of said seat connectors operablyconnected to said seat frame and extending along said left side and saidright side of said seat frame; a plurality of elongated seat panels,each of said elongated seat panels comprising first and second spacedapart channels therein with cutouts extending from said channels andopening onto a bottom surface of said seat panels, said cutouts having awidth less than a width of said channel, and wherein said channels ofsaid elongated seat panels are slidably receivable on said upper bulbousmembers of said spaced apart seat connectors so that said plurality ofseat panels form a seat with a bottom surface of said seat panel spacedapart from a top surface of said body of said first and second spacedapart seat connectors; first and second spaced apart back postconnectors, each of said back connectors comprising a front hollowbulbous member supported by a hollow body, lower portions of said backpost connectors operably connected to said seat frame extending upwardlyfrom said left side and said right side of said seat frame; and aplurality of elongated back panels, each of said elongated back panelscomprising first and second spaced apart channels therein and having acutout extending from said channels and opening onto a rear surface ofsaid back panels, said cutouts having a width less than a width of saidchannel, and wherein said channels of said elongated back panels areslidably receivable on said front bulbous members of said spaced apartback post connectors so that said plurality of back panels form a backwith a rear surface of said back panel spaced apart from a front surfaceof said body of said first and second spaced apart back post connectors.19. The article of furniture of claim 18 wherein: said body of saidfirst and second spaced apart seat connectors comprises a squarecross-section; and said body of said first and second spaced apart backpost connectors comprises a square cross-section.
 20. The article offurniture of claim 19 wherein: said square cross-section of said body ofsaid first and second spaced apart seat connectors comprises a hollowsquare cross-section having at least one rib therein; and said squarecross-section of said body of said spaced apart back post connectorscomprises a hollow square cross-section having at least one rib therein.21. A method for forming an article of furniture, the method comprising:providing a seat frame having a left side and a right side definingvertically-disposed inner surfaces; providing first and second seatconnectors having an upper bulbous member and a body; operably attachingthe body of the first and second seat connectors to thevertically-disposed inner surfaces of the left side and the right sideof the seat frame; providing first and second back post connectorshaving a front bulbous member and a body; operably attaching lowerportions of the body of the first and second back post connectors to thevertically-disposed inner surfaces of the left side and the right sideof the seat frame; slidably attaching a plurality of seat panels to theupper bulbous members of the first and second seat connectors; andslidably attaching a plurality of back panels to the front bulbousmember of the first and second back post connectors.
 22. The method ofclaim 21 wherein the slidably attaching a plurality of seat panels tothe upper bulbous members of the first and second seat connectorscomprises supporting a bottom surface of the seat panel spaced apartfrom a top surface of the body of the first and second spaced apart seatconnectors.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein the slidably attaching aplurality of back panels to the front bulbous members of the first andsecond back post connectors comprises supporting a rear surface of theback panel spaced apart from a front surface of the body of the firstand second spaced apart back post connectors.